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Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges California/Oregon Welcome

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Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges California/Oregon Welcome U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges California/Oregon Welcome For the wildlife enthusiast, a visit to the Klamath Basin Refuges at any season is a voyage of never-ending discovery. Year to year and season to season the dynamic ebb and flow of wildlife is a process of constant change. Over 490 wildlife species have been observed in the basin including 353 species of birds. Fall and spring bring the drama of one to three million ducks, geese and swans using refuge wetlands as a vital stopover in their annual migrations. Winter bald eagle numbers peak in mid February with basin populations ranking as the largest recorded in the contiguous United States. Thousands of wetland nesting birds also raise their young on the six Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges. (left) Snow geese Why are the refuges here? Refuge habitats Once extensive Historically, the Klamath Basin was Refuges protect To conserve much of the basin's wetlands dominated by approximately 185,000 what remains remaining wetland habitat, six acres of shallow lakes and freshwater National Wildlife Refuges have marshes. These extensive wetlands been established; Lower Klamath, attracted peak fall concentrations Northern pintail Tule Lake, and Clear Lake Refuges of over 6 million waterfowl and in northern California, and Bear supported abundant populations of Valley, Upper Klamath, and Klamath other water birds including American Marsh Refuges in southern Oregon. white pelican, double crested The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cormorant, and several heron species. manages these refuges to enhance wildlife and benefit the American Sandhill craven people. Agricultural and water with Ml Thielson programs are coordinated under an in background agreement between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation. Diverse habitats Klamath Basin Refuges consist support diverse of a variety of habitats including wildlife freshwater marshes, open water, grassy meadows, coniferous forests, sagebrush and juniper grasslands, Wetlands In 1905, the U.S. Bureau of agricultural lands and rocky cliffs drastically Reclamation initiated the Klamath and slopes. These habitats support reduced Reclamation Project to convert the diverse and abundant populations of lakes and marshes of the Lower resident and migratory wildlife with Klamath and Tule Lake areas to 493 species having been observed on agricultural lands. As these wetlands or near the refuges. In addition, each receded, the reclaimed lands were year the refuges serve as migratory opened to agricultural development stopover for about three-quarters of and settlement. Today, less than the Pacific Flyway waterfowl, with 25 percent of the historic wetlands peak fall concentrations of over one million birds. remain. Tulelake basin Seasonal wildlife highlights Waterfowl migration begins Winter From December through February, in early September with the the Klamath Basin hosts the largest arrival of northern pintails concentration of bald eagles in the contiguous United States. Some and greater white-fronted years more than 1,000 of these geese. Peak numbers of over majestic birds are present with most one million ducks, geese, and daytime use occurring at Tide Lake swans are usually present and Lower Klamath Refuges. During by early November with these months a large number and diversity of other raptors, including other major species including golden eagle, northern harrier, mallard, American wigeon. and red-tailed and rough-legged green winged teal, snow, Ross', hawks, also can be found. Waterfowl and Panada geese, and tundra numbers on the refuges increase swan. August and September dramatically in February with the arrival of the first northbound are good months to view water migrants. birds such as the American white pelican, double-crested Spring Waterfowl numbers peak in March cormorant, and various herons, with more than one million birds gulls, terns, and grebes. Most present some years. April and will have departed the basin by May are alive with activity as many songbirds, water birds and late October. shorebirds arrive in the basin to rest and build fat reserves for their continuing journey north. Others remain in the basin to nest. Three of the West's few remaining American white pelican breeding colonies are located at Upper Klamath, Lower Klamath, and Clear Lake Refuges. Summer Refuge wetlands are among the most prolific waterfowl and marsh bird production areas in the Pacific (left) Northwest. An estimated 45,000 Tundra swans ducks, 2,600 Canada geese, and thousands of other water birds are raised on the refuges each year. (below) Large numbers of young can be Canada, geese viewed from June through August. withgoslings About the refuges About the refuges Lower Klamath Established by President Theodore Clear Lake Established in 1911, this 46,460 acre National Wildlife Roosevelt in 1908, Lower Klamath National Wildlife refuge consists of approximately Refuge Refuge is our nation's first waterfowl Refuge 20,000 acres of open water refuge. This 46,900-acre refuge is surrounded by upland habitat of a varied mix of shallow freshwater bunchgrass, low sagebrush, and Sandhill crane marshes, open water, grassy uplands, juniper. Small, rocky islands in the and croplands that are intensively lake provide nesting sites for the managed to provide feeding, resting, American white pelican, double- nesting, and brood rearing habitat crested cormorant, and other colonial for waterfowl and other water birds. nesting birds. The upland areas serve A marked 10-mile auto tour allows as habitat for pronghorn antelope, visitors year round access to great Mountain mule deer, and sage grouse. Except wildlife viewing opportunities. bluebird for limited waterfowl and pronghorn The refuge also has a number of antelope hunting during the regular photo blinds which are strategically California State seasons, the refuge situated for great early morning is closed to public access to protect photography. fragile habitats and to reduce disturbance to wildlife. The Clear Tule Lake Established in 1928, Tule Lake Lake Reservoir is the primary source National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 39,116 acres of of water for the agricultural program Refuge mostly open water and croplands. of the eastern half of the Klamath Approximately 17,000 acres are Basin with water levels regulated by leased by farmers under a program the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Refuge permit holders Klamath Marsh Klamath Marsh Refuge was farm another 1,900 acres of cereal National Wildlife established in 1958 when grain and alfalfa. These crops, Refuge approximately 16,400 acres were together with the waste grain and purchased with Federal Duck Stamp potatoes from the lease program, are funds. In 1990 and 1998, additional a major food source for migrating and acquisitions boosted refuge acreage wintering waterfowl. A ten-mile auto to 40,646. Originally designated as tour route allows wildlife observation Klamath Forest National Wildlife throughout the year. Refuge, the refuge was recently renamed as virtually all of the Upper Klamath Upper Klamath Refuge was historic Klamath Marsh now lies National Wildlife established in 1928 and is comprised within refuge boundaries. This large Refuge of 15,000 acres of mostly freshwater natural marsh provides important marsh and open water. These White-headed nesting, feeding, and resting habitat habitats serve as excellent nesting woodpecker for waterfowl, while the surrounding and brood rearing areas for meadowlands are attractive nesting Tricolored waterfowl and colonial nesting birds and feeding areas for sandhill crane, blackbird including American white pelican yellow rail, and various shorebirds and several heron species. Bald eagle and raptors. The adjacent pine and osprey nest nearby and can forests also support diverse wildlife sometimes be seen fishing in refuge including great gray owl and Rocky waters. A boat is a must for those Mountain elk. During summer visitors who wish to explore this months, opportunities to canoe in refuge. A marked canoe trail is open Wocus Bay allow wildlife observation year round and canoes may be rented and great wetland scenery. nearby. Wildlife Viewing Wildlife Viewing Yellow bellied Short-eared owl marmot White pelican River otter Black-necked Western pond stilt turtle Western grebe Mule deer About the refuges Recreational Activities Bear Valley Bear Valley Refuge was established Enjoy your visit National Wildlife in 1978 to protect a major night Refuge roost site for wintering bald eagles. Refuge You are encouraged to stop at the The refuge consists of 4,200 acres, Headquarters and refuge headquarters and visitor primarily of old growth ponderosa Visitor Center center when you first arrive. Refuge pine, incense cedar, and white and wildlife are colorfully described by Bald eagles Douglas firs. These mature stands of exhibits, and information regarding feeding on a trees have open branching patterns wildlife viewing opportunities, road of large limbs which allow easy goose conditions, upcoming events, and eagle access and regulations is available. A non-profit can support many sales outlet provides an opportunity birds. Located on a to purchase wildlife oriented books northeast slope, the and other items. Proceeds are used to roost also shelters support refuge education programs. these raptors from The refuge headquarters and visitor the harsh and center is located on prevailing winter Hill Road, o miles winds. In recent west of Tulelake, years, as many as California, and 300 bald eagles is open Monday have used the roost in a single night. through Friday, Bear Valley Refuge also serves as nesting habitat for several bald eagle pairs. Bear Valley Refuge is closed weekends and to all public entry, except for walk holidays, 9am to in deer hunting before November 1, 4pm. The center is to reduce disturbance to the birds. closed on Christmas From December through mid March and New Years. excellent opportunities are available from outside the refuge to observe Auto Tour Routes Auto tour routes (see map) are early morning fly outs of large available at both Lower Klamath and numbers of bald eagles and other Tide Lake Refuges.
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